For the second year in a row, Halls Lady Devils softball supported a cause near and dear to its heart.
The team honored eight-year-old super-fan Gracie Hensley, who has Down syndrome. Halls let her take the field with the team before its home game against Karns High School on Thursday.
Both teams wore crazy socks to support the cause.
"When she shows up, it brings joy to all of us," Halls assistant coach Kevin Julian said of Gracie. "We love her and we're glad she's part of us and part of our team. You'll see her beautiful smile and the things that she does and what she brings to this world."
Gracie's sister, Tanna, is a sophomore infielder for the Lady Devils.
"She's the greatest sister ever," Tanna said of her little sister. "She's so funny and so loving and so sweet. There's nothing 'down' about [Down syndrome]."
Tanna Hensley picked up a hit late in the game, a double down the left field line, in the Lady Devils' 6-0 win over Karns.
"I always play for her," Tanna said. "Everything I do is for her."
You might remember Gracie's story from 2017; seeing the love and support given to her meant just as much the second time around for her father, Ric Hensley.
"Grace is 990 miles per hour all the time," Hensley said with a smile. "We wouldn't have it any other way. "
Hensley and his wife, Sandy, want to spread the message that children with Down syndrome or special needs are just like everyone else.
"It might take them a little bit longer to get to first base, but they're going to get to first base," Hensley said.
World Down Syndrome Day was Wednesday, March 21.
Several other high schools in the area supported the cause, as well; Anderson County, The King's Academy, Carter, and Gatlinburg-Pittman all had plans to wear different colored socks or crazy socks to raise awareness.